Aglaonema plant named `Green Lady`

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Aglaonema named `Green Lady` particularly characterized by its intermediate, dense, compact and freely branching plant habit; dark green leaves with silver green chevron-shaped markings; rapid growth rate; and resistance to diseases common to Aglaonema.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofAglaonema plant, botanically known as Aglaonema hybrida, and hereinafterreferred to by the cultivar name Green Lady.

The new cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted bythe inventor in Valkaria, Fla. The new cultivar originated from a crossmade by the inventor in March, 1984, between the species Aglaonemacommutatum as the female, or seed, parent with the species Aglaonemapictum. The cultivar Green Lady was discovered and selected by theinventor in April, 1985, as a plant within the progeny of the statedcross in a controlled environment in Valkaria, Fla.

Asexual propagation of the new cultivar by division at Valkaria, Fla.,has shown that the unique features of this new Aglaonema plant arestable and reproduced true to type in successive generations of asexualpropagation.

The new Aglaonema has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations inenvironment such as temperature, light intensity and fertilizer rate,without, however, any variance in genotype. The following observations,measurements and comparisons describe plants grown in Zolfo Springs,Fla., under a polypropylene-covered shadehouse and conditions whichclosely approximate those used in horticultural practice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of `Green Lady`. These characteristics incombination distinguish `Green Lady` as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Plants of the new Aglaonema are intermediate in size and are freelybranching, dense and compact in growth habit.

2. The abaxial leaf surfaces of the new Aglaonema are dark green withsilver green chevron-shaped markings. The silver green markings oftencoalesce to occupy much of the proximal leaf surface. The markingsbecome increasingly sparse near the leaf apex.

3. Plants of the new Aglaonema have a rapid growth rate.

4. Plants of the new Aglaonema are exceptionally resistant to diseasescommon to Aglaonema.

Plants of the new Aglaonema can be compared to plants of the nonpatentedAglaonema cultivar `Maria` which have a similar leaf color pattern.However, plants of the new Aglaonema have more and larger leaves withsilver green leaf markings, and are more freely branching compared toplants of the cultivar `Maria`. In addition, plants of the new Aglaonemagrow larger and wider than plants of the cultivar `Maria`.

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearanceof the new cultivar, showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type.

The first photograph comprises a top perspective view of a typicalsingle plant of `Green Lady` in a 26-cm container about 16 months afterplanting a single four-leaf cutting.

The second photograph comprises a close-up view of the abaxial (left)and adaxial (right) surfaces of a mature leaf and illustrates the detailof the leaf color pattern.

Leaf colors in the photographs may appear different from the actualcolors due to light reflectance.

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used.

Botanical Classification: Aglaonema hybrida cultivar Green Lady.

Parentage:

Seed or female parent.--Aglaonema commutatum.

Pollen or male parent.--Aglaonema pictum.

Propagation: Asexual propagation by division or tissue culture.

Plant Description:

Plant shape.--Intermediate in size, outwardly spreading, symmetrical,freely branching, dense and compact in growth habit.

Growth habit.--Relatively erect when young, becoming more outwardlyspreading as leaves develop.

Plant size.--Height: Soil surface to top of leaf canopy: Approximately50 to 58 cm. Soil surface to junction of the petioles of the last twounrolled leaves: Approximately 19 to 22 cm. Width: Approximately 85 to89 cm.

Root description.--Thick white roots with fine laterals.

Stem description:--Upright. Diameter, 5 cm above the soil surface:Approximately 1.5 to 1.7 cm. Internode length, 3 cm above the soilsurface: Approximately 1.3 to 2 cm. Color: 147A/147B with areas of 163D.

Petiole description.--The following description is based on the fourthexpanded leaf from the apex. Growth pattern: The petiole has fleshyedges extending from the midrib that are referred to as wings. Wingsextend from the base of the petiole to approximately 2.7 to 5 cm belowthe base of the leaf. The wings are about 4 mm wide midway from thepetiole base to the wing apex. The wing apex is acute. The petiolefollows the stem axis but diverges from the axis about 9.8 cm to 11.5 cmfrom the leaf base, forming a horizontal distance from the vertical axisof the stem to the leaf base of approximately 4 cm to 7.5 cm.Dimensions: The petiole is straight from its base to the tip of thewings, and often curved between the tip of the wings and the base of theleaf. The petiole is approximately 4 mm to 5 mm in diameter midwaybetween the wing apex and the base of the leaf. The petiole isapproximately 14.3 cm to 16 cm in length from its base to the base ofthe leaf. Color: The petiole wings and petiole midrib are 147B sparselystreaked with 147C/147D.

Axillary breaks.--There are approximately 18 axillary breaks with atleast one leaf expanded. First leaves will show true color and colorpattern.

Leaf description.--Growth pattern: The leaf is ovate in shape with anacute to acuminate apex and an obtuse base. The leaf margin is entire.The leaf blade is asymmetric with the side of the leaf unrolling firsthaving less surface area than the side unrolling last. The leaf isoriented parallel to the stem axis at the time of full unrolling,changing to approximately 30 to 40 degrees from vertical stem axis asmore leaves unroll above it. The midrib is curved downward over thelength of the leaf. The leaf blade is flat from the midrib to the marginand often somewhat wavy along the margin. Dimensions: For the pot sizeand growing time indicated, the largest leaves are approximately 26.5 cmto 28.0 cm long and approximately 8.5 cm to 9.8 cm wide. Average sizedleaves are approximately 21.8 cm to 25.3 cm long and approximately 7.8cm to 8.3 cm wide. The leaf blade is relatively thick and leathery intexture with a glossy surface. Midrib: The midrib is thick andprominent, recessed on the abaxial leaf surface and prominent on theadaxial surface. Primary veins: The primary veins are sunken into theabaxial surface and slightly prominent on the adaxial surface. Theprimary veins are the same color as the tissue surrounding them. Theleaf blade is convex between the primary veins. Pattern: The abaxialleaf surfaces are dark green in base color, with silver greenchevron-shaped markings which follow the primary veins. The markings areoften composed of two shades of silver green blotches. The leaves aremost abundantly marked near their base. The silver green markings oftencoalesce and occupy much of the proximal leaf surface. The markingsbecome increasingly sparse near the leaf apex. The adaxial leaf surfaceis entirely medium green. Color: Mature leaf, abaxial surface: Basecolor: Darker and greener than 147A. Silver green chevon-shapedmarkings: 191A/194A. Midrib: 147A with streaks of 191A. Mature leaf,adaxial surface: Base color: 147B with very faint markings of 147C whichfollow the primary veins. Midrib: 147B/147C with streaks of 147C. Newlyopened leaf, abaxial surface: Base color: Greener than 147A. Silvergreen chevon-shaped markings: 191B and 194A/194B. Midrib: Greener than147A with streaks of 191B. Newly opened leaf, adaxial surface: Basecolor: 147B/147C with very faint markings of 147C/147D which follow theprimary veins. Midrib: 147B/147C.

Inflorescence.--Typical of Aglaonema, no commercial significance.

General Observations

Aglaonema `Green Lady` is a freely branching, intermediate-sized varietyhaving very dense compact growth, and dark green foliage marked withsilver green chevron-shaped markings. The silver green markings oftencoalesce to occupy much of the proximal leaf surface. The markingsbecome increasingly sparse near the leaf apex. Plants of `Green Lady`have a rapid growth rate and are exceptionally resistant to disease.These characteristics in combination make `Green Lady` a unique anddistinct new cultivar.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Aglaonema plant named`Green Lady`, as illustrated and described.